John Henry Lewis vs. Al Gainer (1st meeting)
John Henry Lewis 178 lbs beat Al Gainer 177 lbs by UD in round 12 of 12
- Date: 1936-07-30
- Location: Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Referee: Al Grayber
- Judge: Alvin (Jap) Williams
- Judge: George MacBeth
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, this was a rousing fight and a close one. Gainer was down briefly in round 12. Attendance was 20,000; gate $34,372.
"Light heavyweight champion John Henry Lewis of Pittsburgh, won a unanimous decision over Al Gainer from New Haven, Conn., in a 12-round non-title bout at Forbes field last night. Lewis, 178 1/2, closed with a rush to win the last four rounds to overcome an early lead piled up by Gainer, who weighed 177. Gainer, weaving and crouching, opened with a hard body attack to take the first two rounds. They then fought on even terms until the 6th round when Gainer opened a deep gash over the champion's eye, but Lewis rallied in the 8th and launched a fast, two-fisted attack to win the closing rounds and the decision. Lewis' superior speed and his effective use of short jabs gave him his margin of victory. Gainer's most effective weapon was a hard left hook to the body." -Associated Press
- Attendance - 17,118
- Gate - $35,000